Old Madam Ji and her daughters-in-law had no idea what was happening behind them. They hurriedly headed towards Fengxian Hall, but as they were not mbers of the imperial family, they could not enter. The three won—the mother-in-law and her two daughters-in-law—could only pace anxiously outside.
As for the young Emperor, although he claid he was going to Fengxian Hall to mourn the late Emperor, this was just a charade. Ever since he was young, he had used mourning the late Emperor as an excuse to avoid one selection process for consorts after another. Thus, claiming to mourn the late Emperor had beco his way of seeking solitude. Today was no exception.
Xie Pan’Er was anxiously pacing around the Imperial Garden. After crossing a rockery and then a small lane, she asked many people, but nobody knew where His Majesty the Emperor had gone. So eunuchs and palace maids even mistook her for the daughter of so courtier who was trying to climb into the Emperor’s bed. As a result, thanks to the eunuchs and palace maids who had intended to mislead her but inadvertently helped, Xie Pan’Er actually found the young Emperor.
Xie Pan’Er, disheveled, walked into a small courtyard. It was very clean and tidy. In the courtyard stood a large water tank where water lilies grew. So flowers were in bloom, while others had even begun to wilt.
Exhausted, Xie Pan’Er entered and quietly asked,
"Is anyone there?
Is anyone inside?
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, are you here?"
The young Emperor, who had been resting with his eyes closed as he swayed gently in his recliner, suddenly snapped his eyes open. That voice outside... it sounds sowhat familiar, he thought. And it seems to be looking for .
The young Emperor rose from his recliner. Just then, he heard a high-pitched scream from outside, "AH...!" His heart lurched. He quickly opened the door and went out, only to see an Inner Guard holding a sword to a disheveled Xie Pan’Er’s neck.
"Stop!" the young Emperor barked.
Xie Pan’Er, who had been terrified and worried, couldn’t help but feel a wave of relief wash over her when she saw the young Emperor. An involuntary smile blossod on her face. That smile was genuine, radiant, and relaxed. It even held a hint of... How should I describe it?
Only many years later did the young Emperor understand. That smile was the kind he himself most wished he could show. Yet, as an Emperor, he was never allowed to let joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness be visible on his face.
So, at this mont, looking at Xie Pan’Er’s smile, he found himself sowhat srized, even covetous.
"Your Majesty! I finally found you!" Xie Pan’Er said with a soft laugh, completely forgetting the palace etiquette Nanny Zhang had taught her.
"Why are you here? And how did you find this place?" The young Emperor’s covetous gaze on her smile lasted only an instant. Once he composed his emotions, he reverted to the aloof and dignified Emperor.
"The Third Madam sent ," Xie Pan’Er replied. "She specifically told to inform Your Majesty that the Empress Dowager has taken Her Highness Princess Chang to kowtow to the late Emperor."
Hearing this, the young Emperor’s mind buzzed. He asked in disbelief, "What did you say? Say that again!"
Xie Pan’Er didn’t understand. Why would the young Emperor react just like the two ladies of the Ji family when he heard that the Empress Dowager was taking Xiaosuisui to kowtow to the late Emperor? They all seed so surprised, and with the surprise ca nervousness and worry!
"The Third Madam told to emphasize to Your Majesty that Her Highness Princess Chang is going to kowtow to the late Emperor!"
These words struck him like a bolt from the blue!
The young Emperor didn’t even have ti to ask Xie Pan’Er how she had found him. He bolted out of the courtyard and ran straight towards Fengxian Hall. Xie Pan’Er chased after him, but in her haste, she twisted her ankle.
「In Fengxian Hall」
The Empress Dowager held Xiaosuisui, pointing out the portraits one by one, from the founding Emperor to the late Emperor. She showed each one to her. Among the portraits were also the founding Empress, Empress Dowagers of previous dynasties, and various Senior Imperial Consorts.
Looking at the portraits before her, Xiaosuisui tilted her head up and asked the Empress Dowager, "Grandma, is it ti to kowtow to Imperial Grandfather now?"
Mhm! Our Xiaosuisui was such an obedient child; she still rembered what her Imperial Grandmother, the Empress Dowager, had said at the banquet about her needing to kowtow to her Imperial Grandfather, the late Emperor!
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